The Bill of Lading: The Paper That Can Make or Break THE BANK

You didn’t get into trucking to push papers. You got into trucking to run a business and make money. But here’s the truth: the Bill of Lading (BOL) can be the difference between getting paid on time and waiting weeks for a check.

I’m not saying this to scare you. I’m saying it because I’ve been there. I’ve sat in a truck stop waiting on return calls, chasing down people who never picked up, and wasting hours trying to fix something that could’ve been caught before I even left the dock.

If you’re a new owner-operator, this is one lesson that will save you headaches (and money): treat your BOL like your paycheck—because it is.

The Two-Week Paycheck Delay That Could’ve Been Avoided

One of the carriers I handle invoicing for learned this the hard way.

He sent me a single page of his BOL. At the bottom, in tiny print, it clearly said “Page 1 of 2.” Factoring companies don’t pay unless they have every page.

Because I only handle invoicing not accounts receivable. I don’t chase paperwork unless I’m hired to. (Most bookkeepers don’t.)

It took him two weeks to track down that missing page. He called, no one answered. Emails went nowhere. Finally, since the shipper was about 100 miles from home and he was picking up nearby, he drove there in person.

Guess where the missing page was? Printed on the back of the first page.

And as if that wasn’t enough, he later realized he had sent me two pages for one delivery but no BOL at all for the second delivery. Now he had to chase that down too.

Two weeks of delayed pay. Two weeks of wasted time. And in trucking, time is money.

Your Time Is Money. Don’t Waste It Chasing Paperwork!

The only time you’re making money is when your wheels are turning, not when you’re sitting in a parking lot making phone calls, waiting on hold, or driving back to a shipper for paperwork.

That’s why attention to detail matters. The BOL is more than just paper it’s a legally binding contract.

When you sign it, you’re saying:
✔️ The freight listed is on your truck.
✔️ It’s in good condition.
✔️ You’ll deliver it in that same condition.

If something’s damaged or missing, it falls on you because you signed for it.

No-Touch Freight Doesn’t Mean No Responsibility

I get it. You didn’t load it, you didn’t touch it, and you’re just trying to get in and out. But here’s the reality: your signature says you accepted it as-is.

If you can’t verify the load, protect yourself:

✅ Write it on the BOL:
• “Driver not present when loading.”
• “Driver not present when unloading.”
• “Driver not allowed on dock.”

✅ Always sign “SLC – Shipper Load & Count.” That legally shifts responsibility for load count back to the shipper.

✅ Take clear pictures of every page, front and back, before you leave.

✅ Look for small print like “1 of 2” or “2 of 3.” Miss it, and you could be waiting weeks for payment.

Your Bookkeeper Can’t Save You From This (Unless You Pay Them To)

Most bookkeepers or invoicing services won’t track down missing paperwork unless you’ve hired them to manage your accounts receivable. That means if you mess up, you wait.

Handle your BOL like your paycheck because it is.

I’m Not Just a Bookkeeper, I’m Someone Who’s Been There

I’m not telling you this as someone who learned trucking from behind a desk. I’ve been in this industry for over 10 years. I’ve made these exact mistakes. I’ve lost time, sat waiting on callbacks, and learned the hard way that attention to detail keeps you paid and rolling.

Now, I do the books and invoicing for carriers, but I’m more than just “someone you pay to crunch numbers.” I’m here to help you think like a business owner, protect your money, and build something that lasts.

If you want someone in your corner who understands trucking, who can answer questions, guide you, and be a partner in your success reach out. I want to see you win, because I’ve been where you are.